The Odisha government on Tuesday, 25 August stated that the overall flood situation across the state remains under control, even as more than one lakh people in Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapada districts continue to bear the brunt of inundation. District administrations have been placed on heightened alert as a low-pressure system keeps rainfall elevated across the state.

Active Weather System and Rainfall Data

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand and north Odisha remains active and is likely to move northwestwards through Jharkhand and north Odisha over the next 24 hours. In the preceding 24-hour period, the state recorded an average rainfall of 17.5 mm. Barkot block in Debagada district logged the highest at 162.2 mm, with four blocks recording more than 100 mm and nine blocks plus one urban local body recording between 50 mm and 100 mm.

Cumulatively, from 1 August to 25 August, Odisha received 344.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 287.1 mm — 20% above normal. Since the onset of the monsoon on 1 June, cumulative rainfall has reached 1,100.6 mm against a seasonal normal of 831.5 mm, a surplus of 32.4%.

Districts Affected and Evacuations

While Bhadrak, Jajpur, and Kendrapada remain the worst-hit, heavy rainfall has also impacted Keonjhar, Nabarangpur, and Koraput districts. In Nabarangpur, nine blocks have been affected, with 1,622 people moved to relief camps. In Koraput, 660 people have been evacuated. Authorities have not yet released a consolidated statewide displacement figure beyond the one-lakh mark in the three primary districts.

Rescue Operations Under Way

A total of 79 rescue teams have been deployed across affected zones — comprising 28 ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) teams, one NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team, and 50 Fire Services and Emergency Services teams. Officials said the deployment is calibrated to the current scale of flooding and can be scaled up if conditions worsen.

Government Advisory to Districts

District administrations have been directed to remain prepared for emerging situations, tackle waterlogging and localised flooding in low-lying areas, monitor road and underpass conditions, and stay alert to potential damage to vulnerable structures and kutcha roads. This comes amid a broader monsoon season that has already delivered a 32.4% surplus over normal — one of the heaviest accumulations in recent years for the state at this point in the season.

The situation will be closely watched over the next 24 hours as the low-pressure system tracks northwestward and rainfall intensity across north and interior Odisha remains uncertain.